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15 Tips for Writing Poetry

by Jacqui Murray

Poetry is not something I’m good at writing so I enjoy it vicariously through online friends like this amazing poem by Diana over at Myths of the Mirror or Andrew’s (at Andrew’s View of the Week) poem about the River. I’ve been following them for several years and always find their poetry startlingly personal, quick peeks into a world ruled by emotion and heart. I’m way too structured for that so only enjoy it through someone else’s eyes.

Here are fifteen tips from those who have no trouble delivering this concise-but-pithy form of writing:

Avoid cliches

Too often, they are unoriginal thoughts on a subject. Instead of using these pre-packaged descriptions, create your own. Instead of:

Her scowl looked like she had sucked a lemon.

how about:

She watched him like he was a car accident.

Rhyme with caution

It can become singsong. Beginners are (surprisingly) more likely to find success with free verse.

Describe something or someone

No plot necessary. Unless you’re writing Narrative Poetry or an epic poem like Beowulf, poems are more about characters, setting, or theme.

For example: Instead of

She was boring.

use

She didn’t like salt in her food or spice in her life.

Make your poem a response to a line in someone else’s poem

This is a great way to get started (remember to credit the original poet).

Tap into your own feelings

Research, so often critical in novels, will not rescue a poem. Focus more on your personal take, your unique voice.

Use excited and exciting language

Words that draw the reader in and keep them trapped in the world you’ve created.

Use sensory details
Focus on the small–as in observations, events, activities, or consequences. Leave the big stuff (like War and Peace) for long long novels

Read lots (and lots) of poetry

Especially the type you want to write.

Expand your vocabulary

Poetry is about using precise words that say a lot. In a novel, you get an entire scene to communicate an idea. Not true in a poem.

Don’t be afraid to write a bad poem

You’ll write a better one later.

Eliminate unnecessary words, phrases, and lines

Make every word count.

Titles are important

Make yours substantive, maybe even the poem’s first line.

Use your imagination.

It’s your unique take on the world, why readers will fall in love with your poems.

Let readers interpret your work as they wish.

There’s no right or wrong, just how it resonates with them. A phrase out of the Urban Dictionary allows readers to see what they will see without being told: “I see what you did there.” It’s become a favorite of mine even in casual conversation, to let people know I get what they’re trying to say.

If you’re a poet, what is your top tip for an aspiring writer? What made the biggest difference in your journey?

Guest post contributed by Jacqui Murray. Jacqui is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman and is the author/editor of dozens of books on integrating tech into education, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, a columnist for Examiner.com and TeachHUB, and Editorial Review Board member for Journal for Computing Teachers. You can find her book on her publisher’s website, Structured Learning.

17 thoughts on “15 Tips for Writing Poetry”

Back when I wrote poems I figured out that I had to write my poems all at once and to not rewrite them. Though imperfect it’s as pure as a literary expression as I can achieve because I rewrite my prose compulsively.

As a poet, I agree with a number of the points you make. Reading lots of poetry can undoubtedly assist in honing/developing a poet’s craft. However, one must be wary not to become a carbon copy of the poets you admire. Expanding one’s vocabulary also helps in enhancing the capacity to write well. There does, however need to be talent present for it to be nurtured as, in the final analysis certain individuals have the ability to write while others do not. Ultimately one should write from the heart as poems written from deep inside will have greater impact than those penned with the sole intent being to impress. Thank you for your guest article. Kevin